The Dirty Thirties
Every era is shaped by many diverse events and conditions. The 1930's were marked by economic crisis and instability. The Great Depression struck the world in 1929, and continued throughout the decade. This caused many to look upon this time as a dark and melancholy period, which was not the case. Although most people focus on the depression, as characterizing the 1930's, many other factors helped shape that era. During this time in America, there were many momentous events, writers, and innovations that greatly impacted society. One event which perpetuated the problems of the 1930's was the Dust Bowl. Beginning in 1931, about fifty million acres of land, mainly in Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, experienced a severe drought (Farris 6). This drought and its aftermath ranked among the worst environmental disasters in history. These extreme weather conditions made it even harder for many people to overcome the economic problems already facing that era. The soil in this region had become dry and loose because of the prolonged drought, and by 1933, the high winds began creating huge dust storms. (Bond 226). There have always been dust storms in the Great Plains, but these were far more deadly and devasta
that four million pairs of hosiery were sold in one day, and before the year's end over 60 million pairs were sold (The Columbia Encyclopedia). Nylon became a standard product used in many basic items which continue to influence American life. As Americans gain greater knowledge and expertise, this product continues to be used in new and creative ways, such as in the space program or as medical aids. The 1930's had many ups and downs but the American people were resilient and were able to overcome the great problems they faced. The hard times that people had made them ready for good times. A positive attitude and a belief in tomorrow helped create an environment in which new discoveries and technologies could further develop American society. The true American spirit of pursuing creativity and discovery helped bring about the advances that made life easier and more enjoyable. This decade had many unique events that helped set the future course of America's history. The final ending of the law had an positive effect on the economy and society as a whole. "Above all else, however, the story of the Eighteenth and Twenty-first Amendments can be seen as a triumph for democracy" (Lucas 96). American citizens have always demanded freedom from repression and Prohibition is just another example of this. One thing that has always been true is that Americans will not allow unreasonable restrictions on their choices. America was founded on the wanting of new experiences and not being held back, which helps explain the remarkable progress following the hard times of this era. ting than ever seen before. These storms, which ravaged the Plains, caused unbelievable amounts of damage. One of the biggest dust Americans have always embraced new inventions and technologies as a way of making life better. The debut of television got its start during this so called dark period on May 22, 1930, at Procter's Theater where for the first time an audience saw a closed-circuit TV (Collins 17). The response was overwhelming and started a new age of technological advances. Interest in this new medium continued to grow throughout the decade. The television made its grand opening at the New York World's Fair in 1939, where they had
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Approximate Word count = 1512
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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